Umbrellas as Weapons

Umbrellas have always been used as weapons against falling rain and excessive sun exposure. By their very design it was only natural to incorporate second duty weapons to these implements.

(Via: materious, cyanatrendland)

The umbrella’s history can be traced back in many cultures, but the oldest bronze hinged retractable interlocking slides and bolts have been unearthed in the Luoyang archaeological site in China and date back to the 6th century BC. There even exists a how-to construct a 28 arc umbrella written record in the ancient Chinese ceremonies book Rites of Zhou dating back 2400 years.

The main axis of the umbrella has been sharpened to a pin point able to create a flaccid balloon with just the slightest touch. Many designs incorporate a knife blade or sword tip for ease of weapon use. An article:  THE UMBRELLA: A MISUNDERSTOOD WEAPON written and illustrated by J.F. Sullivan originally appeared in “The LudgateMonthly” of 1897 in London, illustrates the misuse of weapon umbrellas.

(Via: materious, cyanatrendland)

During the 40s, 50s, and 60s, the CIA was responsible for creating sword concealing umbrellas. Makes one think of James Bond 007 movies. There is an actual museum in Austin, TX where you can see and learn about these umbrella weapons:

From The Ralph D. Thomas PI Vintage Collection
THOMAS INVESTIGATIVE PUBLICATIONS, INC.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALISTS, INC.
SPY EXCHANGE AND SECURITY CENTER
P O Box 82148, Austin, Texas 78708
Showroom: 9513 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78758
Phone 512.719.3595 Fax 512.719.3594
Email: RThomas007@aol.com

Umbrella weapons have now entered the 21st century showing themselves online in WII games.

So, in answer to this week’s Triond Writing Challenge #24, this article encompasses the use of the challenge words: flaccid balloon and umbrella. You may have just learned something new.